Elton John recently promised that he would be releasing new music in 2025, and he wasn’t kidding. The pop-rock legend has just unveiled plans for a brand-new studio album titled Who Believes in Angels?, which he recorded in collaboration with his pal Brandi Carlile. The album will be released on April 4, and the title track is available now via digital formats.
Videos by American Songwriter
John revealed in a new behind-the-scenes video that he recorded Who Believes in Angels? over the course of 20 days in October 2023, following his much-celebrated performance at the Glastonbury Festival.
As with the Oscar-nominated title song from the new documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, Elton and Carlile recorded Who Believes in Angels? with producer Andrew Watt and John’s longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin.
The “Who Believes in Angels?” title track is a soaring melodic ballad that seems to poetically allude to the challenges Elton and Brandi faced along the way to finding happiness and success.
A companion lyric video has debuted on John’s YouTube channel. The clip shows a young girl, possibly representing Carlile, wearing a vintage Elton John T-shirt playing an Elton-themed pinball machine.
John’s Message About the Making of the Album
Elton shared candid details about the creation of the new album in a message posted on his social media pages.
“This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life,” Elton wrote. “It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes in Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future.”
He continued, “I decided I wanted to make an album with [Brandi Carlile] because our friendship was so close, and I just knew the instinct that we could produce something really, really amazing. Along with my long-term collaborator [Bernie Taupin] and friend and ally [Andrew Watt,] we decided to go into the studio and try and make a truly collaborative album inspired from our musical heroes and our journey together. We started from scratch, with a blank notepad and a world-class band of legendary session musicians.”
John concluded, “It was one of the most difficult creative processes I’ve ever been through, but I couldn’t be prouder of the outcome. I wanted to make this record with Brandi because I knew what she’s capable of, and I wanted to sing and play with her because I knew it would be special.”
More About the Behind-the-Scenes Video
The video feature reveals that, for the first time in his career, John allowed cameras to film the entire process of him making an album.
The clip begins with Elton explaining that the project “came at the end of a most amazing year.” He also noted that at his advancing age, he was inspired to “do something different” and didn’t “want to coast.”
As for deciding to make an album with Carlile, Elton said, “When I met her, I fell in love with her, and I just thought she had the most amazing voice. I knew I would find her inspiring, and I knew she would find me inspiring.”
The feature also shows that, at first, John was extremely irritable and unhappy with how things were coming together in the studio.
“Reality is, I was exhausted, I had a lot of doubt, and I was a nightmare,” he admitted.
John said that he contemplated abandoning the project, but changed his mind when he considered his other collaborators.
“[T]he fog started to lift,” Elton noted. “Finally, it all started to flow.”
John reflected, “I wanted to play better, sing better, write better, and challenge myself at the age I am.”
As the video neared the end, Taupin commented, “In 50-plus years, we’ve never made a record like this.
Carlile then noted, “We made an album that I think is spectacular for all the ages. My life has been taking me to this album the whole time.”
John added, “For me, it’s immaculate. This came out the way I wanted it to come out. This is one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.”
The clip ended with footage of Elton breaking down and crying with joy, as he declared, “This never happened to me in my whole career.”
More About the Who Believes in Angels? Album
Who Believes in Angels? was recorded at Sunset Sound Studio in Los Angeles. Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, ex-Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, and former Who touring bassist Pino Palladino also contributed to the album.
The 10-track collection includes the previous released “Never Too Late,” which has been nominated for a best original song Oscar.
Who Believes in Angels? is available for pre-order now in a variety of formats and configurations.
Meanwhile, a special webpage has been launched where fans can submit their contact info for a chance to purchase tickets to a “unique evening of performance and storytelling” with Elton and Brandi that will take place March 26 at The London Palladium. Info must be submitted by February 25 at 10 a.m. U.K. time.
Who Believes in Angels? Track List:
- “The Rose of Laura Nyro”
- “Little Richard’s Bible”
- “Swing for the Fences”
- “Never Too Late”
- “You Without Me”
- “Who Believes in Angels?”
- “The River Man”
- “A Little Light”
- “Someone to Belong To”
- “When This Old World Is Done with Me”
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